This is our first blog entry! We think a blog should give you some valuable information! We hope to use this site to give you a sneak peek into the world of health at Bentley with special tips on health news, exercise, eating, sleep, and stress--these are all areas you told us you want to hear more about!! We'll try to add to this blog once a week--let us know what you want more information on by emailing us with ideas or questions.
I always start the fall with a combination of excitement and trepidation! We missed you over the summer and can't wait to see you back here. What will this year bring in my world of health? Will there be any flu epidemic this year? How can we do our best to get you seen quickly and efficiently? It is important for us to have good systems in place--management 101--my mission! Are there any tips we can give you? (here's a few to get your year started!)
- Take 10 minutes each day to be alone without a cell phone on and just take some deep breaths
- Take a walk with an old friend or a new friend--two loops around the campus gives you some good exercise in the nice weather!
- Eat a few pieces of fruit each day
- Read something (not school work) at bedtime for 10 minutes--you may sleep better!
- Find one person at Bentley who listens--who you can talk to if you have any worries!
- Wash your hands!
How did we spend our summer?
- Reviewed 1300 health forms on incoming students and input data into their electronic medial records. Made sure their immunizations were up to date and in compliance with state immunization laws. Made sure all students had health insurance--again another state law in Massachusetts. if we are out of compliance there are BIG fines! Fortunately, we have 100% compliance rate due to the hard work of Mary McCarthy, our coordinator of immunizations!
- started this new Blog!
- Updated our facebook page.
- Created a NEW schedule for fitness classes at times you asked for!
- Put a Q & A on our website to help you navigate the health care system.
- Continued to work to get a secure email system in place for communication between you and providers.
- Created a new on-line booklet to help survivors of sexual assault, their friends and family (we'll send it by email to you and also look for it on our website in September)
- Reviewed our Satisfaction Survey--found that 89% of our surveyed students were either satisfied or very satisfied with our services as compared to 82% of surveyed students nationally.
- Updated and improved our electronic medical records system to make charting more efficient and get you seen and back to class quicker.
- Planning done for on-campus support groups for students with chronic illness--Diabetes and Crohn's coming in January 2012
In good health,
Gerri Taylor
Associate Dean for Health and Wellness
